I’ve had to rethink over Souttar, admits Mclaren

Alan Mclaren has admitted that he was one of those who failed to recognise the full merit in John Souttar’s defensive work.

But the former Hearts and Rangers defender has been impressed by the progress made in the past year and the way the youngster has stepped up to the plate since club captain Christophe Berra was sidelined with a torn hamstring.

Speaking on the day that Dundee United hit back at Tynecastle manager Craig Levein’s claims that they almost ruined the Scotland centre-back’s career by playing him in several different positions as the side struggled for form and points, Mclaren added weight to the suggestion that many observers reached an early conclusion on Souttar, pictured, and have been forced into a rethink following recent performances.

“Craig has a good grasp on things – and obviously he thinks he’s one for the future. I saw more of him last year and, personally, I would say his defending wasn’t as good as it should have been. But that will come. It has come. And he’s decent when it comes to distribution, as well as being a big enough unit – he’ll handle the physical side. When you think he’s only 21, he’s got a lot of good years ahead of him. Hopefully they’re here. Craig started by looking at the back and he knows, if you don’t concede, you don’t lose games. Christophe going down was a sore one. But the boys who have come in have fitted into the system and everyone is working well together.”

Mclaren, who made 180 appearances for Hearts and earned 24 Scotland caps before knee problems brought a premature end to his career, was at Tynecastle yesterday to help launch the Play The Game initiative, aimed at bringing the spirit of street football back to the modern grassroots game and he says that allowing kids to develop at their own rate is important. “I started at right back, so maybe it was a bit easier for me. You didn’t play with many wingers in those days. Physically, I was OK because I had played junior football at age 15 and I really enjoyed the physical side of it. But, again, I had older players around me and maybe they took on the physical side more. I loved it. It was enjoyable. ”

Last season Hearts were forced to play a load of kids and while others have slipped back down the pecking order, Souttar has matured into a first-team regular, donning the captain’s armband in Berra’s absence.

Impressed by the start to the season, which has included six clean sheets and an unbeaten run of 10 games, Mclaren says that by the end of October it should be more obvious if the Premiership leaders have what it takes to end the campaign on top.

“Title contenders? Wait until after Christmas, wait until they have played everyone. Then they can have a look and see if they’re going to be in amongst it.

“Rangers and Celtic have European ties, so that will put added pressure on them. But they have to play Aberdeen and Hibs [in October, as well as Rangers] and if you are going to be anywhere near the top of the table you need to beat these teams.”